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Become a Precinct Committee Officer

Run to become a precinct committee officer (PCO), the Democratic representative for your precinct!

PCOs, or precinct committee officers, are the building block of the Democratic Party. They are the grassroots organizing base for all of our activities.

What does a PCO do?

PCOs play an important role in electing Democrats. It’s their job to get to know their neighbors, educate undecided or swing voters, and make sure Democrats are registered to vote. Before Election Day, they work to turn out voters.

All this hard work adds up to precinct-by-precinct victories and the election of Democratic candidates. This is what grassroots politics is all about!

PCOs are also a central part of their local Democratic organization. They elect Party leadership, help fill vacancies in elected office, and lead their precinct caucus every two years. Becoming active with your local Democratic organization will make you a more effective PCO.

How to become a PCO

There are two ways to become a PCO - election by the voters in your precinct, or appointment by your local Democratic Party organization.

Election

Democratic voters in each precinct will elect PCOs in August Primary. A candidate who runs unopposed will be automatically elected; contested elections will appear on the primary ballot. PCOs elected in August will take office on December 1st. All candidates for PCO must file with their County Elections office between May 16 and May 20th.

Each county has slightly different rules for filing as a PCO. Some counties (King, Pierce) have produced county-specific instructions for filing.

Appointment

Local Democratic Party organizations have the right to appoint PCOs to fill any seats left vacant - either because no one filed to run, or because the elected PCO has stepped down. If your precinct is vacant, the Chair of your local Democratic Party organization can appoint you to serve as an "appointed" PCO starting immediately!

If your precinct already has a PCO, the Chair of your local Party organization can appoint you as an "acting" PCO for a precinct that you do not live in. Note that Acting PCOs do not have PCO voting rights.

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Once again, WA State is leading the way! Governor Jay Inslee just signed into law automatic voter registration, Election Day registration, pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, and the state Voting Rights Act. It's a good day for Democracy.